Intro to Processes – OM in the News

Fully-Autonomous Restaurant in San Francisco

Mezli, which just opened its first restaurant in August 2022, utilizes technology to bring healthy Mediterranean grain bowls to the market.

The initial restaurant is fully-autonomous and housed in a 20-foot shipping container. Their Mediterranean bowls are priced to be affordable, with the flagship bowls starting at $6.99. A Michelin-starred chef assisted with the creation of their menu.

The process begins each day at Mezli’s central kitchen with food preparation. Food is then delivered to the restaurant. Robots at the restaurant receive customer […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2022-09-25T23:56:43+00:00September 27, 2022|Tags: apps, automation, location, process design, processes, robotics, robots, technology|

Ford Redeploys Resources to Compete in the EV Market

The race for dominance in the EV market demands a new strategy and realignment of operations.

Ford has started on a new trajectory that involves controlling costs in its gas-powered vehicle division and injecting capital into its EV division to speed up expansion. The article describes the company’s reallocation of resources and its impact on the size and skills of the workforce.

Video Spotlight: Ford Motor Company Cutting 3,000 Jobs in Bid to Lower Costs (August 22, 2022, […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-09-06T22:05:07+00:00September 8, 2022|Tags: competitivness, focused factory, strategic capacity management, strategy, sustainability|

Amazon Prescribes Bigger Investment in Healthcare

The acquisition of One Medical for $3.9 billion by Amazon signaled the intent of the e-commerce giant to compete in the healthcare industry, in particular, the telehealth sector.

Amazon has grown from operating as an online retailer to becoming a key player in entertainment, groceries, and pharmacy with the acquisition of MGM, Whole Foods, and PillPack respectively, in recent years.

Video Spotlight:

Amazon to buy One Medical in healthcare push (July 21, 2022, Reuters)
Amazon […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-09-05T19:50:24+00:00September 6, 2022|Tags: competitiveness, ecommerce, innovation, technology|

Hyundai Plans a New EV Plant in Georgia

Hyundai Motor Group plans to build a $5.5 billion electric car plant near Savannah, GA. The plant will have a production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles per year in 2025.

The state of Georgia would provide Hyundai with tax breaks and other incentives in exchange for at least 8,100 jobs.

A new US plant may also help boost Hyundai’s EV sales. The Inflation Reduction Act, which U.S. President Biden is expected to sign into law the week of August 15, 2022, […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-08-14T23:45:03+00:00August 14, 2022|Tags: facility location, location, supply chain strategy|